ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
3,82,875 number of Companies struck off in three years up to financial year 2020
Based on non-filing of Financial Statements  consecutively for two years or more, “Shell Companies” were identified and after following due process of law as provided under Section 248 of the Act, 2013 read with the Companies  Rules, 2016, there are 3,82,875 number of Companies were struck off during the last three years up to financial year ended 2020. Further, no companies have been struck off during 2020-21.
This was stated by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
The Minister further stated that there is no definition of the term “Shell Company” in the Companies Act, 2013 . It normally refers to a company without active business operation or significant assets, which in some cases are used for illegal purpose such as tax evasion, money laundering, obscuring ownership, benami properties etc. The Special Task Force set up by the Government to look into the issue of “Shell Companies” has inter-alia recommended the use of certain red flag indicators as alerts for identification of Shell Companies. The Government has undertaken a Special Drive for identification and strike off such Shell Companies.
Giving more details, the Minister stated that Securities Exchange Board of India  has informed that they had received a list of 331 shell companies from MCA along with a letter of Serious Fraud & Investigation Office  which contained the data base of shell companies along with their inputs, for initiating necessary action. On the basis of said reference of MCA, SEBI advised Stock Exchanges to take the following pre-emptive interim measures vide letter dated August 07, 2017:
a) To place identified listed companies under Surveillance Measures.
b) Restrictions on share transfer by promoters and directors of such identified companies and
c) Verifying the credentials /fundamentals of such companies.
Accordingly, all the nationwide recognised stock exchanges , vide notice dated August 7, 2017, addressed to all its market participants, initiated action as per instructions of the SEBI. Out of 331suspected shell companies, 221 companies were listed on these nationwide stock exchanges.
MCA has ordered investigation against 68 such companies, the Minister stated.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Amendment in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences  Act, 2012
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for Amendment in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences  Act, 2012 to make punishment more stringent for committing sexual crimes against children.
Salient Features:
- The POCSO Act, 2012 was enacted to Protect the Children from Offences of Sexual Assault, Sexual harassment and pornography with due regard for safeguarding the interest and well-being of children. The Act defines a child as any person below eighteen years of age, and regards the best interests and welfare of the child as matter of paramount importance at every stage, to ensure the healthy physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of the child. The act is gender neutral.
- The amendment in Section-4, Section-5, Section-6, Section-9, Section-14, Section-15 and Section-42 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences  Act, 2012, is made to address the aspects of child sexual abuse in appropriate manner. The modification is made to address the need for stringent measures required to deter the rising trend of child sex abuse in the country.
- To discourage the trend of child sexual abuse by acting as a deterrent Section-4, Section-5 and Section-6 are proposed to be amended to provide option of stringent punishment, including death penalty, for committing aggravated penetrative sexual assault crime on a child to protect the children from sexual abuse.
- The amendments are also proposed in section-9 to protect children from sexual offences in times of natural calamities and disasters and in cases where children are administered, in any way, any hormone or any chemical substance, to attains early sexual maturity for the purpose of penetrative sexual assault.
- Section-14 and Section-15 of the POCSO Act, 2012 are also proposed to be amended to address the menace of the child pornography. It is proposed to levy fine for not destroying/or deleting/ or reporting the pornographic material involving a child. The person can be further penalized with jail term or fine or both for transmitting/propagating/administrating such material in any manner except for the purpose of reporting as may be prescribed and for use as evidence in court. Penal provisions have been made more stringent for storing/possessing any pornographic material in any form involving a child for commercial purpose.
Benefits:
The amendment is expected to discourage the trend of child sexual abuse by acting as a deterrent due to strong penal provisions incorporated in the Act. It may protect the interest of vulnerable children in times of distress and ensures their safety and dignity. The amendment aims to establish clarity regarding the aspects of child abuse and punishment thereof.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Indian contingent on winning 27 medals at 25th Asian Athletics Championship 2023
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the outstanding performance by the Indian contingent at the 25th Asian Athletics Championship 2023 where Indian athletes won 27 medals, the highest medal tally on foreign soil in an edition of the Championships.
The Prime Minister tweeted:
“Outstanding performance by the Indian contingent at the 25th Asian Athletics Championship 2023!
Our athletes won 27 medals, the highest medal tally on foreign soil in an edition of the Championships. Congrats to our athletes for this achievement. It fills our hearts with pride.”
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Reduction In Fee Of Medical Colleges/Universities
The Section 10  of Sub-section ) of National Medical Commission Act, 2019 provides for framing of guidelines for determination of fees and all other charges in respect of fifty percent of seats in private medical institutions and deemed to be universities which are governed under the provisions of the Act. Accordingly, National Medical Commission  has framed the guidelines and the same was issued on 03.02.2022.
The Government has taken following steps to increase the opportunities for medical studies, within the country. The number of UG seats have increased from 51,348 before 2014 to 89875 seats as of date which is an increase of 75%. The numbers of PG seats have increased by 93% from 31,185 seats before 2014 to 60202 seats.
The steps to increase the seats include: -
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 157 new medical colleges have been approved and 71 are already functional.
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.
- Central Sector Scheme for upgradation of Government Medical Colleges by construction of Super Specialty Blocks. A total of 75 projects have been approved and 55 have been completed.
- Under Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved. Undergraduate courses have started in 19 AIIMS.
- Relaxation in the norms for setting up of Medical College in terms of requirement for faculty, staff, bed strength and other infrastructure.
- DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shortage of faculty.
- Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts of teachers/dean/principal/ director in medical colleges up to 70 years.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
HUDCO Observed its 53rd Foundation Day
To commemorate 53 years of dedicated service to the nation, the Housing & Urban Development Corporation Ltd.  organized its Foundation Day on 25th April, 2023. The Hon’ble Union Minister , Shri Hardeep S Puri, was the Chief Guest. The Secretary MoHUA, Shri Manoj Joshi, and other Senior dignitaries were also part of the Foundation Day function.
The Hon'ble Minister congratulated HUDCO for demonstrating another robust performance in the financial year 2022-23 with a significant increase in loan sanctions and other operational & financial parameters and saidit is a matter of great pride that HUDCO has facilitated the construction of almost 2 crore residential units cumulatively in India by providing financial and technical assistance, 95% of which are for EWS & LIG. He said that in the future also HUDCO must continue to strengthen its credibility and strong customer relationships with State Governments and Agencies. He appreciated HUDCO’s role as an able ally of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in this journey.
Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, MoHUA expressed that HUDCO is to step in and partner in the vision of New India. During fiscals 2020-2025, total capital expenditure on Urban infrastructure is projected asnearly Rs. 20 lakh crore. The projects under urban infrastructure include Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation, Smart Cities, MRTS, Affordable Housing, Jal Jeevan Mission etc. HUDCO would have a huge opportunity in these areas. This while contributing to sustainable nation building will also fuel HUDCO's growth.
Shri Kuldip Narayan, CMD HUDCO said HUDCO’s journey has been a long one, and this incredible journey is a testimony of the vision, entrepreneurship spirit and commitment of MOHUA, Founders and Leaders. A total loan sanction of Rs. 24572 crore and loan release of Rs. 8465 crore was achieved during the year 2022-23,cumulatively loan sanction to the tune of Rs. 2,43,426 crore and loan disbursal of Rs. 2,01,791 crore. He said as the economy recovers, HUDCO would realize increasing business opportunities in various segments of Urban Infrastructure.
For over five decades, there have been key partners in the growth story of HUDCO, to recognize their contribution, the State Governments, the best-performing borrowing agencies, Best performing PLIs/ Banking, Best Practices along with regional offices of HUDCO and other officials were awarded during the function.Also on the occasion, various HUDCO publications were released.
Ministry of Steel
Employees of SAIL, Ministry of Steel win highest number of PM's Shram Awards
The employees of Steel Authority of India Limited , a Maharatna CPSE under Ministry of Steel won the Prime Minister’s Shram Awards for the Performance Year 2018 for their exemplary workmanship, innovativeness and dedication to the duty. Out of the total 69 awardees, 31 awardees are from SAIL. This is the highest number of PM's Shram awards won by the employees of any organization during the year. Six employees of SAIL have won Shram Bhushan, six employees have won Shram Vir/Veerangana and nineteen employees have bagged the Shram Shree/Devi awards.
Congratulating the winners, Smt Soma Mondal, Chairman, SAIL said, “Shram Awards being one of the most respectable awards conferred upon workmen by the Government of India, our employees have once again made all of us proud with their achievements.”.
The Prime Minister's Shram Awards recognizes the outstanding contributions made by workmen for their distinguished record of performance, devotion to duty of the highest order, specific contribution in the field of productivity, proven innovative abilities, presence of mind and exceptional courage, among others.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
New Strain of Rice
Genome edited lines likely to be available for field evaluation by Kharif 2024
Budget sanctioned for Indian Agricultural Research Institute  is Rs. 98.05 lakhs. This work is done through CRISPR-Cas9 mediated Genome Editing technology. The research work is carried out with the approval of Institutional Biosafety Committee  constituted by Department of Biotechnology , Government of India as per Rules 1989 under Environment  Act 1986.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change vide its OM F.No. C-12013/3/2020-CS-III, dated 30th March, 2022 has exempted the Genome Edited plants in the categories of SDN1 and SDN2, which are free of exogenously introduced DNA, from the provisions of Rules 7-11  of the Rules 1989.
Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India has notified “Guidelines for the Safety Assessment of Genome Edited Plants, 2022” vide OM File No. PID-15011/1/2022-PPB-DBT dated 17.5.2022.
Genome edited lines is expected to be available for field evaluation by Kharif 2024 and for general cultivation during 2026 after two years of field testing.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
REPRESENTATION OF ANGANWADI WORKERS UNION
Government has received representations from States/UTs of Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The Standing Committee on Labour in its 25th Report on the Unorganized Sector Workers’ Social Security Bill recommended that the benefit of social security proposed under the Bill should also be extended to Anganwadi workers who are not covered by the existing laws relating to social security either in the organized or unorganized sector.
AWWs/AWHs being honorary workers are paid a monthly honorarium as decided by the Government from time to time. Government of India w.e.f. 01.10.2018 has enhanced the honorarium of AWWs at main-AWCs from ₹3,000/- to ₹ 4,500/- per month; AWWs at mini-AWCs from ₹2,250/- to ₹3,500/- per month; AWHs from ₹1,500/- to ₹2,250/- per month; and introduced performance linked incentive of ₹ 250/- per month to AWHs. Further, modified guidelines have been issued for performance linked incentive @ ₹ 500/- per month to Anganwadi Workers w.e.f. 01.04.2021. In addition, States/UTs are also paying additional monetary incentives/honorarium to these functionaries from their own resources.
AWWs/AWHs are covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana ; Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana ; and Anganwadi Karyakarti Bima Yojana .
Anganwadi Workers/ Helpers who have been engaged with Covid-19 related tasks have been included in the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package for insurance cover of Rs.50 lakh subject to fulfillment of certain conditions prescribed for the coverage.
Also, State Governments/UT Administrations have been requested to encourage eligible AWWs/AWHs to get them enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan  Pension Scheme on voluntary basis in order to get assured monthly pension on attaining the age of 60 years.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Commerce & Industry Minister discusses infrastructure development with President, Asian Development Bank
Commerce & Industry Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman met Mr. Takehiko Nakao, President, Asian Development Bank  today . The Minister welcomed and appreciated the ADB’s efforts for infrastructure development in India. She said that the Government would help the States to have the infrastructure projects funding. Smt. Sitharaman discussed the progress in Vizag Chennai Industrial Corridor . She further mentioned that the Northern Extension of the ECEC from Vizag to Odisha and West Bengal is very important and ADB should accelerate the work thereon. The Minister also mentioned that the Southern extension from Chennai to Kanyakumari should include extension up to Kollachal Port and even at Vizhinjam, as this would accrue several economic benefits to these areas. She urged that the implementation of the projects should be monitored closely and timelines should be adhered to.
. Mr. Nakao appreciated the Government reforms towards the GST implementation and termed them as historic. Detailed discussions were held on various aspects of GST implementation.
Mr. Hun Kim, Director General, South Asia Department, ADB, mentioned that they are willing to step-up investment up to US$ 5 Billion over next five years for development along the ECEC.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Centre for Trade and Investment Law at IIFT, celebrates its 6th Anniversary
Centre for Trade and Investment Law instrumental in developing the country’s global trade policy
The Centre for Trade and Investment Law , established by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade , New Delhi celebrated its 6th Anniversary and released the Sixth Anniversary issue of CTIL Magazine on August 4, 2023 at New Delhi. The event was graced by Attorney General of India, Shri R. Venkataramani; Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Sunil Barthwal; Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Peeyush Kumar and Vice-Chancellor, IIFT, Prof. Satinder Bhatia.
The event marked six years of the foundation of CTIL. CTIL was established by Department of Commerce, for enhancing capacity on legal issues pertaining to international trade and investment law. CTIL serves as a repository of information on trade and investment law and has emerged as a thought leader in engaging in and influencing the evolving discourse on global economic law issues.
Shri R. Venkataramani in his keynote address underlined the need to create a global investment law which reflects the sensitivities and priorities of developing countries. The Attorney General noted that it is time to come out with a New Delhi Declaration on a new and alternative paradigm in determining investment protection and facilitation.
Shri Sunil Barthwal highlighted the importance of expertise in both law and economics for the Department of Commerce. He underscored that CTIL is instrumental in developing the country’s global trade policy. He mentioned that the researchers at CTIL have a rare opportunity to contribute to the country’s policy making and being involved in the most contemporaneous issues being discussed in the field of trade and investment law.
Shri Peeyush Kumar appreciated CTIL’s ability to develop a body of trade law expertise and conduct evidence-based research which has been valuable to the Department of Commerce. He highlighted the role of the Centre acquiring capacity to emerge as a global think-tank.
Prof. Satinder Bhatia stressed on the importance of making regional blocs more investor friendly to increase both India’s inward and outward investments. Head, CTIL, Prof. James Nedumpara presented a report on the activities of the Centre.
UPSC
Shri Bidyut Bihari Swain, IAS  takes oath of Office and Secrecy as Member, UPSC today
Shri Bidyut Bihari Swain, IAS  took oath of Office and Secrecy as Member, UPSC today.
The Oath was administered by Chairman, UPSC Dr Manoj Soni.
Shri Bidyut B. Swain joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1988 in the Gujarat Cadre. Between the year 1989 & 2018, Shri Swain served the Government of Gujarat in various posts, in the Districts and at the State Level. CEO, Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board, Secretary, Primary Education, Industries Commissioner, VC & MD, Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation and Chief Electoral Officer, Gujarat State were among his important postings.
He joined the Government of India in 2018 as Additional Secretary in Department of Commerce in charge of Special Economic Zones, Trade negotiations of India with CIS Countries, Export Insurance and also held various positions such as Chairperson of Kimberley Protocol and Commissioner General of India, World Expo- Dubai.
On promotion as Special. Secretary in Department of Commerce in 2020, he dealt with Trade Policy Division, CIS & OCEANIA Divisions, with additional charge of Director General of Trade Remedies.
In January, 2021, he· was posted as Secretary in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, where he served till May, 2023.
He has a MA degree in Political Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and a Masters in· Public Policy & Management from The Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, The Netherlands.
He is a collector of Autographed Books and Contemporary Indian Art.
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Ministry of Finance
XVFC holds productive interaction with Sh. PiyushGoyal, Minister of Railways; Chairman, Railway Board and other officials
Railways is conscious of its dual responsibilities, both, social and economical. Balancing both is always challenging.
The Fifteenth Finance Commission held productive interaction with Sh. PiyushGoyal, Minister of Railways, Chairman, railway Board and other officials in New Delhi today to understand the railway finances. While being transparent, officials also highlighted recent measures to improve passenger comfort, strengthen infrastructure, increasing speed, reduce idling time. Detailed discussions were held on medium term programme to improve capital expenditure in various initiatives like speed up electrification, doubling of track, technical upgrading and modernising the signals, making railways ODFand environment friendly.
Minister highlighted that Railways is conscious of its dual responsibilities, both in social and economic spheres while seeking commercial viability. Being an integral part of inclusive national development, railways have important social and economic functions to perform.Balancing social compulsions with economic viability is always challenging. Minister further stressed that Railways is undergoing transformation in thinking and its operations by using its resources more effectively. ‘Safety First’ is the motto of railways.
Commission led by Chairman Sh. N. K. Singh highlighted other measures to further improve the productivity like monetising assets in multiple forums, speeding up pace of projects under implementation, long term need for rationalization of portfolios and fares for a realistic medium term revenue and expenditure projections.
This was critical for enabling the commission to take a view of Railway Finances and its overall draft on Central Finances between 2020 and 2025, the period to be covered by the current Finance Commission. Commission is in the process of assessing the finances of both Union Govt. ministries and state finances. Fifteen Finance Commission team led by the Chairman Sh. N. K. Singh consisted of members Sh. Shaktikanta Das, Dr. Anoop Singh, Dr. Ashok Lahiri, Dr. Ramesh Chand and Secretary Sh. Arvind Mehta.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
India and Korea to have Trade talks tomorrow
Focus on addressing the large trade deficit, market access issues and non-tariff barriers faced by Indian exporters.
The meeting is expected to further boost India-Korea trade relations in an equitable and balanced manner
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal and Minister for Trade, Republic of Korea, H.E. Mr. Han-koo Yeo, will hold a bilateral meeting tomorrow, 11th January, 2022, to discuss bilateral trade related issues.
The discussion will focus on addressing the large trade deficit, market access issues and non-tariff barriers faced by Indian exporters. The discussion will also feature investment related issues. The meeting is expected to further boost India-Korea trade relations in an equitable and balanced manner to the mutual advantage of both countries.